Be careful what you post on social media, Dubai Police warns

Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn… and those cool enough to be on the rising stars like Bubblews. In 2016, there are countless social media platforms to update, share photos, memories, tag in and write comments.

But when you share a selfie while you’re #HardAtWork, or even the lovely view from your balcony, possibly tagging your location, you probably don’t stop to think of it as a security threat.

Dubai Police have warned people of the dangers involved with sharing too much information online, including discussing work and personal life. Dubai Police HQ tweeted: “Do not use social networking sites to discuss confidential info about your life or your job; you cannot assert with whom you deal with.”

Do not use social networking sites to discuss confidential info about your life or your job; you cannot assert with whom you deal with.

This is a message that Dubai Police convey often. In November 2015 Colonel Ahmed Al Muhairi, head of the General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology at Dubai Police, told Emirates247 that social media is a tool often used by criminals to observe people’s daily lives.

“Today, most people post their daily activities on social media. They post where they have breakfast, which clubs they go to, where they live, what jewellery or other expensive things they buy,” he said.

“Not only this, the problem is that some parents post pictures of their children, and also the school they go to, their class teachers and friends, as well as all the activities which their kids do after school and on weekly basis.”

While it’s fun to tell your friends what you’re up to, and share the odd humble brag about bagging a new job, moving house, or even that epic breakfast place you visit every Saturday, this could make you a target for criminals. When Al Muhairi raised the topic, he used an example of a woman in America who was tweeting so often that a thief identified when she would be out of the house.

It’s best not to tag your location when you’re at home or work, try not to reveal too many personal details about yourself online (especially your children) and keep you private life.